1962 Cadillac DeVille Series 62

Cadillacs have always been about making an entrance, and with that in mind, being subtle was secondary to being noticed. Tailfins were perhaps the most visible representation of this idea, a dramatic look that was tasteful but flashy, the ultimate expression of luxury in America. Fins continued into the early 1960s, adding to the jet-age styling that was so prevalent, and the cars were long, low, sleek, and gorgeous. Fins would largely disappear after 1964 in favor of more restrained designs, but for many folks, a Cadillac with tailfins is America at its finest and it’s hard to argue against that.

This 1962 Cadillac Series 62 convertible is one of the most head-turning cars we’ve ever featured. Driving this car is like a one-car parade and everyone—and I mean everyone—stops to ask you about it. Someone has recently spent a substantial amount of money on the car, including fresh two-tone paint, a lot of new chrome, and a beautiful new black interior. The car was originally Burgundy with a black interior and white top, but when it was refinished a few years ago, they gave it a non-traditional but very attractive two-tone silver-over-black combination that only serves to accentuate the car’s great length. Of course, you know that with a black car, you can’t cut corners on the bodywork and this car is quite straight with a deep gloss and super smooth bodywork that shows very well. It’s not perfect, of course (the car would cost twice what it does) but it looks spectacular and stands up to even close scrutiny. There’s a handsome red pinstripe separating the two colors, a subtle touch that really makes a big difference and I have to believe that if Cadillac stylists were still doing two-tone, this is exactly how it would have looked. Flaws are few, such as a driver’s door that doesn’t quite line up with the extended tail fin (it’s really only noticeable when you go to grab the door handle) and a passenger’s door that’s a little out at the bottom. However, some of that is likely due to the new weather-stripping that’s been installed, and once the fresh rubber breaks in a bit, the fit will likely improve.

On a Cadillac, chrome is always a factor, and someone probably spend a year’s worth of mortgage payments getting the brightwork on this Cadillac tuned up. The bumpers are gorgeous, including the big pontoons under the headlights, which are notorious for rusting from the inside out. The bright trim along the lower “fins” is chrome, not stainless, so it, too, was treated to a full restoration, and the headlight surrounds are excellent. We are guessing that details like the grille and the smaller vent grille at the base of the windshield are good original pieces, and they’re only notable in the fact that they’re not quite as nice as the new stuff. However, nothing stands out as deteriorated and the car presents very, very well overall.

The black interior is also new, including seat covers, carpets, and probably fresh door panels and dash pad, simply because they’re in excellent shape. This car probably came with leather when it was new, but we believe it’s high-grade vinyl in it now, but it’s really, really good stuff because we argued about it for about 45 minutes here in the shop. Regardless, it’s beautifully done and very comfortable for long hauls. The patterns are correct and if you aren’t an expert in upholstery materials, you probably won’t even notice. The instrument panel is original and all the factory dials are working, although the speedometer is a bit of a pessimist; the faster you go, the more of a pessimist it becomes, something we can’t quite explain. Plush carpets help control noise and heat and are beautifully tailored to the big Cadillac’s floors, and there’s a lot of sound-deadening material underneath, perhaps installed in preparation for an upgraded stereo system, as the original radio is disconnected. The heater is bypassed under the hood, but the fan works and the sliding vent controls deliver fresh air to your feet, making this car very comfortable even on warm days. All four windows power up and down easily and there appears to be fresh weather-stripping there, too, so it seals up rather well. There is a new black vinyl convertible top, which powers up and down easily and latches without a fight and it stows under a new black boot that gives the car a very finished appearance. In back, the massive trunk is likewise refinished, with handsome cloth mats and side panels that give it an authentic look and suggests that no corners were cut in the restoration (trunks always get short-shrift by guys on a budget). There’s also a full-sized spare and jack assembly, just in case.

Cadillac managed to enlarge the OHV V8 to 390 cubic inches to power their biggest land yachts, and the smooth, torquey engine moves this convertible with ease. We suspect that it’s the car’s original engine, but there’s no way to be certain, and again, there’s plenty of evidence of money being spent. It starts quickly and easily, idles nicely even when it’s cold, and moves down the road with a muscular hum that’s entirely appropriate. It’s dressed in correct Cadillac Blue paint and still wears its original air cleaner assembly and 4-barrel carburetor. A stock-style fuel pump is still up on top doing its thing (the car doesn’t need an electric pump for help) and power steering is a welcome addition. 1962 is notable in that Cadillac switched to a dual reservoir master cylinder, well ahead of the rest of the industry, and as a result, braking is strong and confident. It runs nice and cool under all conditions and a generator still makes the electricity. There’s really not much to complain about here, it’s a really nice-running machine!

The transmission is a 4-speed JetAway automatic with ancestors that date all the way back to the 1941 Hydra-Matic, but thanks to use in Sherman tanks during WWII, it’s virtually indestructible. In this ’62, it is freshly rebuilt and offers syrupy smooth shifts that are all but imperceptible, although there’s still just a touch of that familiar Hydra-Matic whine, which is typical and not cause for concern. With 2.94 gears out back, it’s a fantastic cruiser and offers plenty of punch, even at highway speeds. The suspension is Cadillac smooth with recent shocks and springs that aren’t sagging and as I said, the brakes are powerful and confidence-inspiring. The only possible demerit are the tires, which are older 8.20-15 BFGoodrich Silvertown white whitewall bias-plys, and they tend to follow truck ruts in the road and howl a bit in corners, so we might recommend a set of modern radials which would make this car an almost perfect cruiser.

I will admit that I personally love this car. I love driving it, I love the way it looks, and I love the glamourous image it represents. Cadillacs with fins are just plain cool and this one, with its slick color combination, is definitely flashy. I don’t think you can find more A-list sheetmetal for less money than this beautiful ragtop.